1
as in sources
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in roots
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lineages
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of origins
The origins of Betty White's Chicken Pacific recipe aren't well-documented, but it's thought to have started with whole chicken breasts baked in a sweet, sticky sauce.
—
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Entertainment Weekly looks back on the acclaimed singer's discography, from her country origins to her latest pop anthems.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
An essential Southern dish, perloo has its origins in West African cuisine and is closely linked to Gullah Geechee traditions.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
The origins of coffee can be traced to Ethiopia, as far back as the 9th century.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
In a sit-down interview at his East Sacramento home on Thursday afternoon, Gregg Lukenbill, whose family bought The Trap in 2022, recounted the origins of his dispute with the city.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The origins of the phrase can be traced back to a song and a basketball player.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Looking ahead Scientists aim to analyze the human remains from the megalith, trace the origins of the exotic materials, and study the production techniques of the weaponry and ornaments.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
And both justices viewed their Western origins as essential to the their personalities and views.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Entertainment Weekly looks back on the acclaimed singer's discography, from her country origins to her latest pop anthems.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
An essential Southern dish, perloo has its origins in West African cuisine and is closely linked to Gullah Geechee traditions.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
The origins of coffee can be traced to Ethiopia, as far back as the 9th century.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
In a sit-down interview at his East Sacramento home on Thursday afternoon, Gregg Lukenbill, whose family bought The Trap in 2022, recounted the origins of his dispute with the city.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The origins of the phrase can be traced back to a song and a basketball player.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Looking ahead Scientists aim to analyze the human remains from the megalith, trace the origins of the exotic materials, and study the production techniques of the weaponry and ornaments.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
And both justices viewed their Western origins as essential to the their personalities and views.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origins
Noun
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Obviously, Quillan isn’t staying, but my understanding from talking to sources is Treliving continues to consider his options in terms of bringing in another forward.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In the meantime, CEOs can find signals that point to a weakening employment from private data sources.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Her perky protagonist notably navigated a romantic relationship with vampire Bill Compton and explored the roots of her own fairy ancestry.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
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The brand, which began as a music label in 2002 before adding a ready-to-wear line in 2005, will retain Maison Kitsuné’s youth culture roots while targeting a more mature audience.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While multiple human lineages have been discovered from this time, scientists have struggled to create a clear timeline.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This evolution is driven by a combination of random mutations and natural selection, where the organisms that are most fit for survival, and most adaptable to the changes that occur in their conditions and environment, are the ones who aren’t selected against, and whose lineages continue.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
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Now on sale for less than $20, these pumpkin cradles are a simple but genius gardening hack that lifts squashes off the ground to prevent moisture build-up that can cause rot.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But in the end, her chilling ode to the beginnings of her romance with Joe Alwyn won out.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Opal symbolizes clarity, new beginnings, healing, and emotional equilibrium.—
Lian Brooks,
Glamour,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The box covers the most popular classes and ancestries such as humans, elves, dwarves and halflings.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those players, with their own experiences and their own pedigrees, joined the team last year and watched a team underachieve.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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When employers look past pedigrees and see workers’ singular abilities, histories, and motivations, skills gaps disappear.—
Ryan Stowers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Transcripts, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, correspondence, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origins. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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